Treatment for Khat dependence
Khat is a sympathomimetic and its pharmacological effects are believed to parallel those of amphetimine. Psychiatric manifestations induced by Khat are similar to the effects of other known stimulants. two doctors described a recent, successful attempt to treat 2 cases of Khat dependency using protocols similar to those developed for cocaine. Both patients presented for treatment with psychriatic manifestations and were screened for stimulant and depressant drug addiction since substances other than Khat were involved in each case. Specific procedures for treatment entailed an inpatient detox phase of 1-2 weeks followed by long-term attendance at outpatient recovery programs.
Succesful inpatient detox was facilitated with the use of bromocriptine (ranging in dose from 0.625 mg. in one case to 1.25 mg. in the second case, and tapered off over a period of 5-12 days.) Continued craving for stimulants by one patient resulted in the use of desipramine (200 mg. a day) for up to 6 months post-detox with dose levels gradually tapered downward. Previous attempts to treat Khat-induced psychosis have employed thioridazine (300 mg. a day) for 1 week without recurrence symptoms.
Diagnostic